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July 16, 2008
By The AVweb Editorial Staff
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NEW! Zulu with Panel Power!
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 Quest Aircraft Co., of Sandpoint, Idaho, said on Tuesday that their Kodiak model -- a fixed-gear, STOL, single-engine
turboprop -- has received FAA type certification for parachute jump operations. Quest said this is the first aircraft that has been certified
for skydiving use straight from the factory, without the need for any modifications. Quest designed and installed a roll-down door which allows for easy exits, which can be closed by the pilot without
having to leave his or her seat. Other jump-specific equipment includes a wing-mounted camera, a 14-inch photographer step, wind deflector, jump lights, and internal and external grab rails that run
the full length of the door. The first Kodiak skydiving aircraft has been delivered to a parachute club in Germany, and flew in a jump competition last week. Paul Schaller, Quest president, said he
decided that Quest would develop its own jump package after talking with potential customers about what features they would like.
"We decided to develop and certify the jump package ourselves so we could deliver a certified Kodiak directly to the customer," he said. "We've had inquiries from both the private and military
sectors for parachute operations, so we are really pleased to now have a Kodiak in the field performing this mission. We anticipate more customers ordering this option." The all-aluminum Kodiak flies
with a Pratt & Whitney PT6 turbine engine, can work off floats without structural upgrades, can take off in less than 700 feet, and can land on unimproved surfaces.
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 A system to better predict the future positions of thunderstorms, which has been tested in the Northeast since 2001, will now be
deployed nationwide, the FAA said on Monday. The Corridor Integrated Weather System (CIWS) was upgraded significantly last
month, and will enable air traffic controllers to keep air routes open longer and reopen them sooner during thunderstorm events, the FAA said. Also, runway status lights, which have been tested at
several sites, will be installed at 20 major airports across the country over the next three years, Acting FAA Administrator Bobby Sturgell said on Monday. The lights warn pilots when it is unsafe to cross or enter a runway, and have been tested
at airports in Dallas and San Diego. The FAA also said this week it will re-evaluate its takeoff and landing procedures at New York's JFK International Airport, after two near-midairs in less than a
week.
The NTSB says that on July 5, "preliminary radar data" shows that a Boeing 767 and a 737 conflicted, passing
within about a half mile laterally and 200 feet vertically. Last week, the FAA had denied that the July 5 incident had been
a close call. In a a second incident, on July 11, a Delta 757 that was going around was put into the path of a Comair jet that was departing on a different runway, according to news reports.
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Quotes reprinted with permission: Professional Pilot, 2007 Headset Preference Survey, 12/07; Aviation Consumer, 8/07.
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 EADS is spreading its wings, although will not be moving out of Europe. Addressing delegates at the Farnborough International
Airshow Monday, CEO Louis Gallois said the company is shopping for acquisitions and the low U.S. dollar is making that side of the pond attractive. He said the acquisition drive is an attempt "to
balance risk and cost." Gallois said the company is looking to reduce its share of commercial aircraft platforms to 50 percent from 60 to 65 percent via acquisitions.
He also said there have been major changes in structure and management of the company. "In one year we have completely changed the corporate governance of the company–the board is no longer a
Franco-German joint venture. There are clear reporting lines and transparency, which is completely new." He added that the company has started to define its "Vision 2020" strategy. By the end of the
month, each EADS division should have defined its own strategy.
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Cessna Aircraft Company, the World's Largest General Aviation Manufacturer
Based on unit sales, Cessna Aircraft Company is the world's largest manufacturer of general aviation airplanes. In 2007, Cessna delivered 1,272 aircraft, including 387 Citation
business jets, and reported revenues of about $5 billion. Cessna has a current backlog of $12.6 billion. The global fleet of more than 5,100 Citations is the largest fleet of business
jets in the world.
More information
about Cessna Aircraft Company is available at Cessna.com. 
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 Britain's Formula 1 hero and brand ambassador for Bombardier Lewis Hamilton took on the Canadian airframer's iconic Learjet 60 in a
special one off head-to-head challenge at the Farnborough International Airshow Monday. Hamilton tore his McLaren Mercedes around the runway at 175mph, competing against the Learjet some 200ft above
him and "winning" the race.
Hamilton enjoyed the race and said: "This event really illustrates my role as the Learjet brand ambassador and brings home the message that speed is everything." Bombardier's Business Aircraft
president Steven Ridolfi added: "Like Lewis, the Learjet brand is leading the way in the arena of corporate aviation, making the two a perfect pair."
General Electric and Snecma have extended their successful 34-year relationship on CFM International until 2040. The two companies unveiled plans to develop an all-new engine, provisionally called the
Leap-X. The engine will be 16% more fuel efficiency than the CFM56. It will not be available as a as retrofit option on aircraft already in service.
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Aircraft Financing to Fit Your Needs
AirFleet Capital offers a competitive and experienced approach to each and every loan program by focusing exclusively on aircraft financing. AirFleet Capital provides exceptional terms
coupled with personal service and a long-term commitment to support the business and shared passion of aviation. From Light Sport Aircraft to VLJs and Business Jets, AirFleet Capital has a
loan program to fit your needs. Call an AirFleet Capital financing specialist at (800) 390-4324, or
request a quote
online. 
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Swiss company ExecuJet has created a dedicated division for pre-owned aircraft with sales reps in Europe, South Africa, the Middle East and soon the USA. According to the company pre-owned demand
comes largely from the Middle East, which is growing by 20% each year, as well as high growth in Asia. Last year almost 50% of the company's total transactions came from the pre-owned market.
ExecuJet Middle East has gained seven new aircraft under management. The company says that the new emerging regions such as the Middle East, India and the Far East are driving the pre-owned market.
Massive lead times on new build aircraft mean that customers are looking to make their purchases elsewhere.
Farnborough attendees can see the Boeing Phantom Works Fuel Cell Demonstrator on display at the show for the first time. Based on a Dimona motor glider, the two-seater aircraft has become a single
seater. The aircraft contains compressors to feed air to the fuel cell, plus pumps to cool down the 75hp. There are lithium-ion batteries on board, as well as a hydrogen tank. The aircraft can fly for
up to sixty minutes at 100kmh.
British company Intelligent Energy's Christopher Dodfield said: "We're always trying to increase the power density." The company is also working on const reduction and anticipates that in a
decade's time the technology should be advanced enough to kit out conventional aircraft.
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Join NAA and Help Shape the Next Century of Flight
It's a great time to join the National Aeronautic Association ( NAA), the nation's oldest aviation organization. At $39 a year, NAA membership is a terrific value for any aviation
enthusiast! Members receive the Smithsonian's Air & Space magazine, plus access to aviation records and much more. To become an NAA member,
sign up
online
or call (703) 416-4888 and press 4.
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 AVweb's Liz Moscrop is enjoying the sights and sounds of Farnborough this week, and she's been kind enough
to share a few photos from her trip.
Click here to view photos.
Last week, the major airlines sent a letter to their customers blaming oil speculators for high prices. AVweb Editorial Director Paul Bertorelli thinks they're giving customers the runaround,
asking them to become junior lobbyists and urge Congress to crack down on oil speculators instead of demanding a consistent, practical national energy policy. Read what Paul has to say about this on the AVweb Insider blog.
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Diamond DA40 XL Demonstrator Sale
For a limited time only, while quantities last, Diamond DA40 XL Demonstrator models are available at a special price of $299,950. The aircraft also qualify
for special 2008 tax incentives. You can enjoy owning a Diamond DA40 and write off up to 93% of the purchase price.
Visit Diamond
Aircraft now for more information. 
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| Paul Feldman |
Paul Feldman has been hired by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association as its vice president of government affairs. Feldman was previously at Washington consulting firm APCO Worldwide where he
advised GAMA on government relations, policy and strategy. Prior to that he represented the FAA in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
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| Joe Radosky |
Joe Radosky is the new director of marketing for the Santa Fe Rocket Race Team. He's been a pilot since he was a teenager and now flies a Citation for a charter firm.
Get a promotion or a new job? Your colleagues want to know about it, and AVwebBiz can get the word out. Drop us a line about the staff
appointment, with a nice recent photo, and we'll do our best to include it in our new section, "Who's Where." The items will be permanently archived on AVweb for future reference,
too.
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The Top Reporter on Our Crack Staff ... Is
You! |
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Our sister magazine, IFR, is asking pilots nationwide how their experience with Lockheed Martin Flight Service has affected the way they do
their preflight prep. We'd love to hear your thoughts on how LockMart is doing these days.
The survey takes just a few minutes. Click here to take part.
(The results will appear in a future issue of IFR magazine. For subscription information, click here.)
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AVwebBiz is a weekly summary of the latest business aviation news, articles, products, features, and events featured on AVweb, the internet's aviation magazine and news service.
The AVwebBiz team is:
Publisher
Timothy Cole
Editorial Director, Aviation Publications
Paul Bertorelli
Editor-in-Chief
Russ Niles
Contributing Editors
Mary Grady
Glenn Pew
Features Editor
Kevin Lane-Cummings
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Aviate. Navigate. Communicate.
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